New gene-based approaches for an AIDS vaccine

Vaccine approaches against AIDS have focused on inducing cellular immune responses, since many studies revealed the role of T cell responses in the control of human immunodeficiency virus or simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infections. The experimental infection of rhesus macaques with SIV or chimeric SHIV is routinely used as a model for AIDS. In such models, DNA immunization is a tool to elicit specific T cell responses and to study their protective efficacy. DNA immunogenicity in primates depends on parameters such as level of antigen expression, choice of the antigen among SIV proteins, use of fusion proteins, route of immunization, and addition of adjuvants. Recent results suggest that priming with DNA and boosting with attenuated recombinant viral vectors, each expressing corresponding SIV antigens, leads to improved specific immunity and, in some cases, affords protection against pathogenic challenge. After preclinical evaluations, DNA has entered clinical trials for a therapeutic or prophylactic gene-based AIDS vaccine.     

Aroma extracts from oyster Crassostrea gigas: comparison of two extraction methods.

The study of the aroma of oysters is of great economic interest in France because it enables their organoleptic quality to be verified. The aim of this study is to optimize the extraction methods of the volatile compounds of oysters Crassostrea gigas in order to obtain an extract with an odor as close as possible to that of the original oysters'. Oyster aroma is rarely studied, and its sensory profile has not been investigated to date. Two extraction methods were studied: vacuum hydrodistillation carried out at 20 degrees C with noncrushed oyster using ultrapure water and dynamic headspace carried out using noncrushed oyster during a 30 min purge. They were compared with regard to their sensory characteristics by a panel of seven judges, all trained in seafood aroma recognition. This study has shown that vacuum hydrodistillation is the better method to obtain an extract closest in aroma to the oyster reference.     

Comparison of two microalgal diets. 2. Influence on odorant composition and organoleptic qualities of raw oysters (Crassostrea gigas)

Oyster farming is of real economic interest in France. Oyster farmers attach more and more importance to improving the growth and the quality of their oysters. Some fatty acids known to be aroma precursors originate from microalgae such as Skeletonema costatum and Tahitian isochrysis clone. These microalgae were used to fatten oysters in order to observe their role in the development of oysters' aroma. This study shows that the profile of fatty acids of oysters is influenced by the contribution of fatty acids from the two microalgae (as reported in the first paper in this series: Pennarun, A.-L.; Prost, C.; Haure, J.; Demaimay, M. Comparison of Two Microalgal Diets. 1. Influence on the Biochemical and Fatty Acid Compositions of Raw Oysters (Crassostrea gigas). J. Agric. Food Chem. 2003, 51, 2006-2010 (in this issue)]. As a consequence, a microalgal diet causes changes in oysters' aroma composition. Aroma concentration depends on the content of fatty acids that are aroma precursors in oysters. Some aromas are characteristic of the diet of S. costatum, such as 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one (ether odor), and others are characteristic of T. isochrysis, such as 3-nonyne (cucumber, marine odor), 6-(E)-nonen-1-ol (green and fresh odor), and 4-ethylbenzaldehyde (aniseed odor). Moreover, the organoleptic qualities (odor, taste, and texture) of oysters are modified by the diet of microalgae.     

Diversity of the Insect Visitors on Calluna vulgaris (Ericaceae) in Southern France Heathlands

As part of an ongoing research project on the pollination networks in European heathlands, the objective of this study was to assess the insect visitor guild on Calluna vulgaris (L.) Hull (Ericaceae). We focused the study on a region renowned for its largely well-preserved heathlands, the Cévennes National Park, Southern France. In 2013, flower visitors were observed over 3 d per site, in four heathland sites at mont Lozère. Honeybees (Apis mellifera L.) were the main visitors (62–88% of total visitors). Besides honeybees, a high diversity of visitors was detected with 57 different species identified (42 Diptera and 15 Hymenoptera). Hoverflies (Syrphidae, Diptera) visitors were abundant and diverse, especially individuals belonging to the genera Eristalis and Episyrphus. The reported diversity of visitors was probably due to the preservation of large heathland areas at mont Lozère and to the generalist pollination system of C. vulgaris.RESUME. Cette étude fait partie d’un projet de recherche en cours sur les réseaux de pollinisation dans les landes européennes. Son objectif est d’évaluer la guilde des insectes visiteurs de Calluna vulgaris (L.) Hull (Ericaceae). Cette étude se déroule dans une région réputée pour ses landes globalement bien préservées: le Parc natinal des Cévennes, situé dans le sud de la France. En 2013, les insectes visiteurs ont été observés durant trois jours par site, dans quatre sites au mont Lozère. Les abeilles domestiques (A. mellifera L.) sont les visiteurs principaux (62–88% du nombre total de visiteurs). Outre les abeilles domestiques, une diversité importante de visiteurs est constatée: 57 espèces ont été identifiées (42 appartenant à l''ordre des Diptères et 15 à l''ordre des Hyménoptères). Les syrphes (Syrphidae, Diptera) sont abondants et diversifiés, en particulier les genres Eristalis et Episyrphus. La diversité de visiteurs observée peut certainement s’expliquer par la préservation de grandes étendues de landes au mont Lozère et par le caractère généraliste de la pollinisation de la callune.     

Computed Tomographic Features of Choanal Atresia in a Friesian Foal

A 3-week-old Friesian colt with a history of respiratory distress since birth was presented to our facility. Results after an endoscopy showed obstruction of the right nasal passage to the nasopharynx. Computed tomography was performed to further characterize this unilateral blockage. The images demonstrated a complete membranous obstruction of the ventral meatus, along with deviation of the vomer bone toward the left side of the nasal cavity. The diagnosis of unilateral choanal atresia was confirmed. This report is the first to describe computed tomographic features of choanal atresia in a foal.     

Quantitative detection of Fusarium pathogens and their mycotoxins in South African maize

The distribution and co‐occurrence of four Fusarium species and their mycotoxins were investigated in maize samples from two susceptible cultivars collected at 14 localities in South Africa during 2008 and 2009. Real‐time PCR was used to quantify the respective Fusarium species in maize grain, and mycotoxins were quantified by multi‐toxin analysis using HPLC‐MS. In 2008, F. graminearum was the predominant species associated with maize ear rot in the eastern Free State, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu‐Natal provinces, while F. verticillioides was predominant in the Northwest, the western Free State and the Northern Cape provinces. In 2009, maize ear rot infection was higher and F. graminearum became the predominant species found in the Northwest province. Fusarium subglutinans was associated with maize ear rot in both years at most of the localities, while F. proliferatum was not detected from any of the localities. Type B trichothecenes, especially deoxynivalenol, and zearalenone were well correlated with the amount of F. graminearum, fumonisins with F. verticillioides, and moniliformin and beauvericin with F. subglutinans. This information is of great importance to aid understanding of the distribution and epidemiology of Fusarium species in South Africa, and for predicting mycotoxin contamination risks and implementing preventative disease management strategies.     

Leaf volatile compounds of six citrus somatic allotetraploid hybrids originating from various combinations of lime, lemon, citron, sweet orange, and grapefruit

Volatile compounds were extracted by a pentane/ether (1:1) mixture from the leaves of six citrus somatic allotetraploid hybrids resulting from various combinations of lime, lemon, citron, sweet orange, and grapefruit. Extracts were examined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and compared with those of their respective parents. All hybrids having an acid citrus parent exhibit the same relative contents in hydrocarbons and oxygenated compounds as the acid citrus, while the (grapefruit + orange) hybrid behaves similarly to its two parents. When volatile compound contents (microg g(-1)) are examined in detail, several behaviors are encountered in hybrids and seem to depend on the presence/absence of the considered parental compound and on the corresponding hybrid combination. Meanwhile, the sesquiterpene hydrocarbons are present in all hybrids at concentrations systematically lower than those of the highest parental producers. Statistical analyses show that hybrids exhibit hardly discriminable aromatic profiles, meaning that no strong dominance of one or the other parent was observed in hybrids with regards to the leaf volatile compound production.     

A sensitive real-time PCR assay for the detection of the two Melampsora medusae formae speciales on infected poplar leaves

Melampsora medusae is a quarantine fungus in the European Union (EU) that causes a damaging leaf rust disease on poplars. Two formae speciales of the pathogen can be distinguished, M. medusae f. sp. deltoidae and M. medusae f. sp. tremuloidae, but the EU plant health directive 2000/29/EC currently in force does not make the distinction between them. EU countries must have the ability to detect and identify rapidly the introduction of these quarantine fungi and to conduct extensive surveys in case of outbreaks. Efficient detection tools are thus needed. In this study, a sensitive real-time PCR assay was developed to detect the presence of M. medusae in poplar leaf samples. A unique primer/hydrolysis probe combination targeting both formae speciales was designed using species-specific polymorphisms observed within the internal transcribed spacer region. An additional primer/hydrolysis probe combination was designed from a region of the 28S rDNA that is highly conserved in the genus Melampsora and used in a separate real-time PCR assay in order to check the quality of the DNA extracted from Melampsora urediniospores. The test developed demonstrated a high sensitivity since it enables the reproducible detection of two M. medusae urediniospore in a mixture of 2 mg of urediniospores (ca 800 000 urediniospores) of other Melampsora species. This new real-time PCR tool should be useful for laboratories in charge of official analyses since it has many advantages over the techniques currently used to monitor this quarantine pathogen in Europe.     

Natural mechanisms for cereal resistance to the accumulation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fusarium</Emphasis> trichothecenes

This review describes the naturally occurring mechanisms in cereals that lead to a reduction of Fusarium trichothecene mycotoxin accumulation in grains. A reduction in mycotoxin contamination in grains could also limit fungal infection, as trichothecenes have been reported to act as virulence factors. The mechanisms explaining the low toxin accumulation trait, generally referred to as type V resistance to Fusarium, can be subdivided into two classes. Class 1 includes mechanisms by which the plants chemically transform the trichothecenes, leading to their degradation or detoxification. Among the detoxification strategies, glycosylation of trichothecenes is a natural process already reported in wheat. According to the structure and the toxicity of trichothecenes, two other detoxification processes, acetylation and de-epoxidation, can be expressed, at least in transgenic plants. Class 2 comprises mechanisms that lead to reduced mycotoxin accumulation by inhibition of their biosynthesis through the action of plant endogenous compounds. These include both grain constitutive compounds and compounds induced in response to pathogen infection. There are already many compounds with antioxidant properties, like phenolic compounds, peptides or carotenoids, and with prooxidant properties, like hydrogen peroxide or linoleic acid-derived hydroperoxides, that have been described as ‘modulators’ of mycotoxin biosynthesis. This review addresses for the first time different studies reporting specific in vitro effects of such compounds on the biosynthesis of Fusarium mycotoxins. A better understanding of the natural processes limiting accumulation of trichothecenes in the plant will open the way to the development of novel breeding varieties with reduced ‘mycotoxin risk’.